Wammy's House, 2 years after the death of former L, L. Lawleit
"Alright children, listen up! I want you to turn to page 132 in you English Literature books." M tried to raise her voice over the groans of the children who occupied her classroom.
"Ms. Melody, we've all already read the entirety of chapter 8, can't we do something else?"
"Yea! Like building model airplanes!"
"Or recess!"
"I just wanna sleep."
"Why can't we do math?"
"Math Joshua? Really?"
"It was just a suggestion."
"ENOUGH!"
The children jumped as her voice rang thought the classroom. She sighed, "Alright, who has already read the chapter?" Every hand shot up. Another sigh. "Fine then, raise your hand if you have something you would like to suggest we do." Timidly, Joan Marston's hand rose into the air. "Yes, Joan?" "Can you tell us the story of L again? I love that story." Collective murmur of agreement rippled through the classroom. M's face softened from a strict English teacher, to a compassionate mother. "If that's what you wish, then alright. Listen carefully and get comfortable because its a long story. And no talking or we'll review our tables for the rest of the hour."
Silence.
"Our story starts in a very large mansion, where the owners were so rich, even their dust was gold..."
Lawleit Mansion, 1992
Lawrence Lawleit stood anxious in the Chrystal Ballroom.
Today was his seventh birthday.
Today was the day mother and father would stop whatever they were doing and come play with him, and sing him happy birthday, and they would eat cake and laugh and everything would be okay.
It was also 4:00 in the morning.
And very dark.
And very cold.
And very lonely.
And Lawrence was in his pajamas.
"And what is the young master doing up so early? Anxious for the sun to rise I presume?"
Lawrence jumped at the sudden voice of the butler, Clarence, and turned so fast that he fell over face first onto the slick ballroom floor.
Rushing over to him, Clarence chuckled quietly, helping Lawrence off the floor and gently brushing him off. "I am sorry to have startled you young master, but what are you doing up at such a time? The sun has not yet risen."
"It is my birthday today. In two hours, mommy and daddy will wake up, and they'll say 'happy birthday' and we'll have cake and balloons and the whole day will be mine. And they won't work, or scold me, or talk to each other mean. Everything will be perfect." Pausing and smiling slyly, Lawrence looked his butler in the eye and put on the most stern face he could muster at 4:00 in the morning. "The question is," he said, "what are you doing up so early?"
Clarence gaped in mock surprise and hurt, "Why, protecting the young master of course! And it is lucky I did! Why don't you come with me to the kitchen and ill make you some hot chocolate while you wait for your parents to wake." Lawrence nodded numbly and yawned, checking the clock on the wall.
4:15.
It was going to be a long morning.